PITTSBURG, Kan. — A residential fire in Pittsburg on Thursday morning claimed the life of a man and left a woman injured.
At approximately 6:07 a.m. Jan. 9, the Pittsburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 125 W. 21st Street. When firefighters arrived on scene, Pittsburg Police Officers reported that a woman had evacuated the residence, but a man remained inside.
After fire fighters entered, located and brought the man out of the residence, he was given CPR and other care with the help of Crawford County EMS. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“The methods that they used to find the victim were by the book and they performed the method exactly right,” Cerne said. “I was very, very pleased and very impressed with their efficiency in being able to get into the structure, perform that targeted search and get the victim out quickly, in order to give him a chance at survival.”
The woman was transported to Mercy Hospital to be treated for injuries. The identities are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Although the cause is still under investigation, Fire Chief Taylor Cerne said he is fairly certain the fire was accidental and caused by a wall furnace.
Cerne gave generic tips to avoid fire hazards this winter such as hiring professionals installing home furnaces and avoid putting space heaters directly next to furniture, clothes or walls.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews
